USA > New Jersey > The New Jersey coast in three centuries; history of the New Jersey coast with genealogical and historic-biographical appendix, Vol. II > Part 46
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Franklin Moore was brought to Woodbridge when he was an infant and was educated in the district schools. After successfully finishing the course, he learned the trade of carriage-making and in the course of time established a business in that line for himself and carried it on prosperously until 1861.
On June 20, 1861, our loyal subject enlisted in the Sixth Independent Horse Artillery, and faithfully served in this regiment for three years of the Civil war, participating in many of the most severely contested battles of the war. He was mustered out of the service in 1864 and upon his re- turn to Woodbridge assumed control of his father's business. In 1871 he retired from the wheelwright business and in connection with his brother Ellis engaged in the hardware business, under the firm name of F. & E. F. Moore, this partnership continuing for thirteen years. At this time our . subject sold his interest and since then has not been actively engaged in any business enterprise. Mr. Moore is a leading citizen, has served ac- ceptably as a member of the town committee, has been treasurer of the township for three years, and has been trustee of free school land, filling all trusts imposed in him with faithfulness. He was a gallant soldier when his country needed his services, and is now one of the most estimable citi- zens of his locality.
CHARLES SMITH EDGAR. -
Charles Smith Edgar was born September 22, 1848, in Bonhamtown, Raritan township, Middlesex county, New Jersey, and is the son of Albert and Susan (Tappan) Edgar, both now deceased. Albert Edgar, father of the subject of our sketch, was born November 27, 1813, at Woodbridge, New Jersey, and died October 14, 1877. On January 7, 1846, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Tappan, who was born February 19, 1813, and departed this life September 12, 1858.
Mr. Edgar spent his early years on his father's farm and attended the
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public schools of his native town. When he reached the age of twenty- one he became interested in the clay business, at first mining and re- fining the clay, and later manufacturing fancy brick. He is treasurer of the Edgar Brothers Company, doing business at South River, New Jersey, and is president and treasurer of the Edgar Plastic Kaolin Com- pany, located at Edgar, Florida. He is also a director of the National Bank of New Jersey, situated at New Brunswick, New Jersey, and director of the Metuchen Building and Loan Association, of Metuchen, this state. His fine residence is at Metuchen. He is one of the most prominent men in his section of the country, a thoroughly successful business man and has devoted his time exclusively to his interests both here and in Florida. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Edgar is an honored member and elder of the Reformed church of Metuchen, New Jersey. He was married December 20, 1882, to Frances E. Edgar.
HENRY MAURER.
The life of Henry Maurer illustrates what can be accomplished by one who conscientiously applies himself to whatever he undertakes to do. Mr. Maurer is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born March 19, 1830. Previous to his eighteenth year he spent five years in Paris, France, acquiring the art of cabinet making. In his eighteenth year he came to New York, seeking a more promising field for his life work. The first opening that presented itself to him, however, was not along the line of the trade he had mastered, but this did not deter him from grasping the first opportunity, which was in the employ of an uncle, by name B. Kreischer, who was then engaged in the manufacture of fire brick. After spending eight years as a journeyman in this line, he entered into partnership with his uncle, under the style of B. Kreischer & Nephew. In 1863 he disposed of his interest in the business to his uncle, and taking another partner estab- lished himself in the same line, under the name of Maurer & Weber. This connection lasted for twelve years, when he transferred his interest to Mr. Weber. In 1874 he came to Perth Amboy and purchased the fire brick works of Joseph Forbes, and for many years conducted the business under the title of Excelsior Fire Brick and Clay Retort Works, which plant he improved from time to time, always introducing the most modern ma- chinery and up-to-date appliances; in this connection we might add that Mr. Maurer has invented improved mechanical devices which he operates to considerable advantage. Mr. Maurer is one of the oldest brick manu- facturers in this country, and to-day his plant is the most extensive of its kind; he gives employment to upwards of two hundred and fifty hands, and ships to not only all points in the United States, but exports his products as well. He has excellent shipping facilities both by water and rail, the Jersey & Lehigh Valley Railroad having laid convenient tracks for his special use. He has productive fire clay mines of between four hundred
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and fifty and five hundred acres in Woodbridge, New Jersey. His spe- cialties are fine brick, gas retorts, furnace blocks and tiles, hollow brick for fire proof buildings and French roofing tiles. In 1895 this business was incorporated under the name of Henry Maurer & Son, with a capital of four hundred thousand dollars, with Henry Maurer as president, and Henry A., his son, as secretary and treasurer.
In national political affairs Mr. Maurer is now a Republican, his last presidential vote as a Democrat being cast for Buchanan. Aside from his extensive business interests Mr. Maurer has found time to interest him- self in local affairs, being a trustee of the school board of New York. He resides at 143 West Seventy-ninth street, and his office and depot are located at 418-422 East Twenty-third street, New York.
SAMUEL W. KIRKBRIDE.
Samuel W. Kirkbride, a prominent building contractor of Monmouth county, residing at Asbury Park, New Jersey, was born May 30, 1848, at Mount Holly, Burlington county, New Jersey, son of William and Eliza- beth ( Boltenhouse) Kirkbride. He is of Scotch ancestry, one founder of the family in America settling near St. Louis, Missouri, another near Philadelphia, and the third in New Jersey, the latter being the direct an- cestor of the Kirkbrides of this state.
William, grandfather of Samuel W., born in Burlington county in 1770, died there in 1858, was a prosperous business man and left eight children : William Kirkbride, father of Samuel W., born February II, 1812, near Mount Holly, New Jersey, died September 18, 1881, leaving nine children ; he was a carpenter and contractor, and for more than forty years followed his trade in the vicinity of Mount Holly. He was an active Republican, was prominent in town affairs, for many years held various local offices, and was universally recognized as a public spirited and patri- otic citizen. Unable to participate in the Civil war, being a cripple, he was well represented in the army by three sons and two sons-in-law. He was a prominent Methodist.
Samuel W. Kirkbride was educated in the public schools and at fifteen years of age enlisted in the army, but was prevented by his family from going to the front. He enlisted twice, subsequently, but with the same result, his patriotic desire being to avenge the death of a brother from a wound received in battle. From 1865 to 1869 he was a newsboy, a clerk in a store, and an apprentice learning the carpenter's trade with his father. In 1869 he was admitted to partnership. In 1871 he started in business for himself. In 1877 he formed a partnership with his brother, Josiah R., and during the following year built the West End hotel, improved the Ocean hotel and erected many cottages in Asbury Park. In 1878, following his business, he removed to Asbury Park, and for five years succeeding carried on the building and contracting business with his brother. Since
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1885 he has continued the business alone, and among the notable build- ings he has erected along the Jersey coast are: The Colonnade Hotel; Hotel Brunswick; Second Avenue Hotel; Sunset Hall at Asbury Park; Berkeleys and Avon Inn, at Avon; Sloan's Hotel and Moore's Hotel at Long Branch; the Asbury Park postoffice; St. James Episcopal church at Lakewood, Ocean county; Trinity Episcopal church at Asbury Park; the New York and Long Branch Railroad stations at Interlaken, Avon and Asbury Park. He built many of the conspicuous blocks in Asbury Park, including the Appleby stores, the White building and the Githens' block. He built the extensive car house of the Coast Electric Company at Asbury Park, and a multitude of cottages, including those of the most prominent citizens of the town.
Mr. Kirkbride, occupying the position of a leading substantial busi- ness man, is prominent in the religious, political, educational and social life of Asbury Park. He is foremost in matters relating to the development and progress of the town and enjoys a corresponding popularity. He is a member and junior warden of the vestry of Trinity church. He is an ar- dent Republican and a leader of his party at Asbury Park. From 1887 to 1894 he was township committeeman; for three years was president of the board of health; for three years, township treasurer; for eight years, inember of the board of education, and since 1888 has been a member of the borough council. He is a member of Asbury Park Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M .; Standard Chapter, R. A. M .; Commandery No. 15, K. T .; Mount Holly Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F .; Coast City Council, No. 813, Royal Arcanum; Washington Council, No. 5, Junior O. A. A. M. He has been a director of the First National Bank of Asbury Park since 1892; has served as vice-president of the Asbury Park Amusement Com- pany, and as vice-president of the Monmouth Social Club. He is an ex- chief of the local fire department, was one of the organizers of the engine company, is a member of the Chief Engineers Association of the United States, and is executive committeeman of the Fire Relief Association of New Jersey.
In January, 1871, he was married to Margaret Little, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Baine, of Mount Holly, formerly of Paisley, Scotland. They have had three children : Walter S., Maude, deceased, and Mabel B.
HENRY C. TALMAGE.
The Talmages of Long Island and New Jersey trace their lineage to one Thomas Talmage, who settled at East Hampton, Long Island, at an early period of the history of that locality. David Talmage, father of Henry C. Talmage, of Red Bank, Monmouth county, New Jersey, married Mary A. Miller, and their son, above mentioned, was born at Montauk Point, Suffolk county, New York. in 1844.
Henry C. Talmage, principal of the Shrewsbury Academy at Red
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Bank, Monmouth county, was fitted for college at Clinton Academy, East Hampton, Long Island, and entered Princeton College in 1866, in which he was graduated in 1869. From 1869 to 1879 he was assistant principal of the Freehold Institute at Freehold, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and in the latter year was employed as a teacher in New York state. In 1880 he was called to preside over the Woodbury school, a private institution in Connecticut, whose destinies he directed for six years. From 1886 to 1889 he was in charge of another private school in Brooklyn, New York, and in the year last mentioned he was called back to the Freehold Institute, where he had passed the first ten years of his career as an educator. Later he was principal of the public school in Belmar, Monmouth county, for a year, and eventually he was induced to cast his lot with the people of Red Bank, whose children required the oversight of a man of highly cul- tured intellect and a wide and varied experience in the school room, and in 1897 the Shrewsbury Academy, a college preparatory school was opened to students of both sexes. The average attendance since that time has been about forty-five.
Mr. Talmage was married in 1884 to Miss Jennie C. Lyman, a native of Windsor Locks, and a daughter of A. A. Lyman, of New Britain, Con- necticut, and they have two daughters, Marion Lyman and Ella Hale.
JONATHAN MINOT.
The name Minot is found in the early records of England, dating as far back as 1307, when Ida, widow of John de Wyckenham, granted to John Minot of Coventry a capital manse in Coventry. In 1616 we find Michael Mynot, a citizen of London, in 1329, Lawrence Minot, the poet. In 1337 Adam Mynot and his followers besieged the Abbey of St. Ed- munds, and in 1363 we find Thomas Minot, archbishop of St. Edmunds. These individuals seem to have belonged to one family, who lived in a belt of country comprising the counties of Suffolk, Essex, Warwick and Glou- cester.
The American family of Minot traces its ancestry through George Minot (1592) directly to Thomas Minot, of Walden, Essex. He was a man of education and wealth-a member of Parliament and a soldier.
Jonathan Minot, the subject of this memoir, is a descendant in the seventh generation from George Minot, the emigrant. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, July, 1838. His father, also named Jonathan, was in early life a distiller, but in 1846 he returned to a farm at North- field, where the remainder of his life was passed. There the youthful days of our subject were passed and there he obtained his school education at the district school. At sixteen years of age he went to sea and for twenty- seven years was connected with the merchant service, during the last twelve years of that time as master of vessels engaged in the cotton trade between the United States and Europe. Captain Minot has visited nearly
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FRAFIFI
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MINOT HOUSE, CONCORD, 1760.
MINOT HOUSE, ASBURY PARK, N. J., 1880.
MINOT HOUSE, ASBURY PARK, N. J., AT PRESENT TIME.
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every quarter of the globe. The first five voyages he made were around the world. He also spent some two years in Australia and two years in Calcutta and through India, where for a time he was employed as an inspector on the East India Railway.
In 1881 Captain Minot retired from the sea and located in Asbury Park, where he had a year before purchased the property upon which the Minot House stands. He rebuilt the Minot House, which at first con- tained nineteen bedrooms, but the hotel at the present time (1901) has ninety bedrooms, with accommodation for one hundred and sixty guests. Captain Minot was married in 1867 and has one son, Jesse.
JESSE MINOT.
Jesse Minot, assistant cashier of the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Bank, was born in New York City in 1870. He attended the primary and grammar school in Thirteenth street, New York, until 1880, when his parents moved to Asbury Park, where he entered the public schools and was graduated from the high school in 1890. In June of that year he entered the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Bank as exchange clerk, and has filled the positions of bookkeeper, general bookkeeper and assistant cashier.
Mr. Minot is a lover of books and engravings, and has in his pos- session a well selected library and some rare prints. He is public spirited and has always taken a deep interest in the Public Library Association, of which he is a trustee. He is a member of the board of health; president of the Asbury Park Wheelmen, and a member of the Sons of the Revo- lution.
WINFIELD SCOTT HAND.
Winfield Scott Hand is a descendant of John Hand, who came from England in 1648 and settled at East Hampton, Long Island. Shamgar, one of John's descendants, became the first individual owner of "Romney Marsh," within the bounds of which the county seat of Cape May county is situated. The subject of this sketch traces his descent through Thomas (who died prior to 1716) Recompence, Jonathan, first, Jonathan, sec- ond, and Jonathan, third. The last named was born December 22, 1818. and was the son of Sarah Moore Hand, who was one of the historic band of maidens which strewed flowers in the path of George Washington on his passage through Trenton. Jonathan, first, served in the New Jersey as- sembly from 1773 to 1776 and in the council from 1776 to 1778. Jona- than, second, was county clerk from 1831 until his death in 1834. Jona- than Hand, third, was appointed county clerk in 1840 for five years, and
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was subsequently elected to the same office, usually without opposition, for nine more successive terms, making fifty years in all. He was con- ceded to be one of the most efficient county clerks the state ever had, and his office was frequently referred to as a model. In 1852 he was appointed master in chancery and in 1862, draft commissioner. He died at his home in Cape May Court House March 2, 1897.
Winfield Scott Hand, son of Jonathan, third, was born at Cape May Court House March 14, 1860. He received his early education in the public school and from private tutors. He filled a responsible position in the county clerk's office with his father for ten years previous to the lat- ter's retirement, in which position he acquired and developed to a marked degree those qualities of promptness, courtesy and accuracy which are so necessary to his present office. While residing at Cape May Court House Winfield Scott Hand was a leading citizen. He was quite success- ful in the real estate, insurance and coal business, and was collector of the township. He was also prominent in lodge and church work. He had the reputation of doing more for the town than any other resident. On May 15, 1889, he was employed by the Central Trust Company at Ocean City. On January 1, 1901, the former agent of the trust company at Ocean City resigned, and Mr. Hand was elected to the vacancy. The First National Bank of Ocean City purchased the building and business of the trust com- pany at Ocean City and on January 1, 1902, elected Mr. Hand as cashier of their bank. He is eminently qualified for his position by his training and his splendid business abilities. He is enterprising, public-spirited and has proved himself particularly efficient in aiding the development and advancement of judicious measures conducing to the prosperity of the city and his native county.
Mr. Hand, on May 26, 1885, married Mary H., daughter of Lewis and Mary Cresse. By her he has had two children, Morgan, Jr., and Cecilia. Mr. Hand is a member of the board of stewards of the Ocean City Metho- dist Episcopal church and his family are members of the same church. He finds his recreation in the excellent shooting and fishing which abound in the waters and marshes near the city.
ADRIAN LYON.
Judge Lyon is a native of Pluckemin, Somerset county, New Jersey, his birth having there occurred on the 25th of July, 1869. His parents, William and Ursula (Sebring) Lyon, were also natives of the same county. Both represented old families of the state. The Lyon family is of English origin and the grandfather of the Judge was Stephen Lyon, who lived at what is now Lyon's station, New Jersey, where he owned a large farm. He married Nancy Hill, a daughter of Captain Hill, who commanded a company in the Revolutionary war. Unto Stephen and Nancy Hill were born four sons and a daughter: David, who was a graduate of Princeton.
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F
adrian dy
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College, in which he completed the course in 1834, after which he engaged in preaching as a minister of the Presbyterian church, but eventually retired to private life; John, who was for many years in the insurance business, but is now deceased; Stephen, who has retired from business and resides at Orange, New Jersey; William L., the father of the Judge; and Mary, the deceased wife of Dr. Cornelius Suydam, of Basking Ridge.
William L. Lyon was born on the family farm at Lyon Station, ob- tained his education in the common schools and while still quite young removed to Morristown, New Jersey, where he engaged in general mer- chandising. He afterward resided at Liberty Corner and in 1861 removed to Pluckemin, Somerset county, New Jersey, where he served as post- master for a time. In 1888 he removed to Perth Amboy. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church. His wife died January 30, 1895. They had three children: Mary, who died in infancy ; Ella S. and Adrian.
Having acquired a good literary education as a basis for professional knowledge, Judge Lyon prepared for the bar, pursuing a course of study in the New York Law School, in which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1894. He had previously studied law with James S. Wight of Perth Amboy, and had been admitted to the bar in 1892. From May, 1894, until September, 1895, he served as super- intendent of the schools of Perth Amboy, and in the latter year he was elected city attorney, which position he filled until 1898. He has served as register of the board of proprietors of East Jersey from May, 1893, until the present time, and for one year as attorney of Woodbridge township, Middlesex county.
In his political affiliations the Judge has always been a Republican, earnest and loyal in support of the party, whose interests he has advanced in no small degree in his district. In addition to the offices before men- tioned which he has filled, he has twice been elected to the general assem- bly. In the fall of 1899 he was chosen as representative by a majority of eleven hundred and two, and in 1900 he was re-elected by a majority of eighteen hundred and thirty-seven. While in the legislature he was a member of the committees on judiciary and revision of laws, the state library committee, and chairman of the committees on labor and industries and elections. In addition to his professional and official service Judge Lyon is president of the Perth Amboy Savings Association, which was reorganized after the failure of the Middlesex County Bank, and since that time he has been the chief officer. In March of 1901 he was appointed judge of, the district court of Perth Amoy by Governor Vorhees for a term of five years.
Judge Lyon was united in. marriage to Miss Cornelia Post, and they have one child. Socially he is connected with Raritan Lodge, No. 61, F. & A. M., and Middlesex Council, No. 1100, R. . \., being past regent of the latter. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, is a member of the society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and also has membership relations with the State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. 27*
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
HENRY H. LONGSTREET.
The sturdy Dutch stock which was so large a factor in the original settlement and the subsequent substantial development of the colony of New Jersey, had no more conspicuously valuable representative than the historic family of Longstreet (see elsewhere in this volume). Of this family the gentleman whose name forms the caption for these memoirs is a worthy member. Henry H. Longstreet was born in Matawan, October 24, 1857, son of Aaron and Catherine (Loyd) Longstreet. His paternal grandfather was Hendrick Longstreet, whose personal history is contained in this volume. His father Aaron Longstreet, was born in Holmdel, Au- gust 17, 1805, was reared to farm life, but in 1841 removed to Matawan and there founded a lumber, grain and feed business. After a successful business career of forty years he retired therefrom in 1882. He was recog- nized as a valuable citizen, was a stalwart Democrat, a zealous Presby- terian and a liberal contributor to all charitable and Christian enterprises. He died at Matawan in 1894. His children were Mary, who became Mrs. J. H. Ellis, of Freehold, New Jersey; Hulda, who married J. S. Conover, of Freehold; and Henry H. Longstreet ; the daughters are both deceased.
Henry H. Longstreet read law under the preceptorship of R. W. Dayton, of Matawan, was graduated from Columbia Law School, New York City, and admitted to the bar in 1881. After practicing law for a period at Matawan, he became engaged in brick manufacturing, a business which soon assumed profitably extensive proportions. He also purchased a stock farm and devoted much attention to breeding and dealing in blooded stock. Another business interest of Mr. Longstreet, formed in 1896, is his partnership association with Edward Brown, of Matawan, under the firm name of Brown & Longstreet, dealers in carriages. He was one of the board of directors of the Farmers and Merchants Bank at Matawan and of the Freehold Banking Company.
The leading industry of Matawan is the manufacture of Cook's Flaked Rice, an article of diet that has become a household necessity in hundreds of thousands of homes. Through judicious advertising in its introduction and because of its recognized value as a dainty, wholesome, and nutritious food, there has been a constant and rapid increase in the demand for this product, and the plant, which now ( 1902) has a daily capacity of twenty thousand packages, is tested to the full. This industry had its inception with the manufacture in a small way, in 1895, by George F. Cook, of Matawan, of an uncooked flaked rice. The possibilities of the manufacture of a cooked flaked rice led Messrs. H. H. Longstreet and A. H. Morton (also of Matawan) to interest themselves in the industry, and through the joint effort and investment of these gentlemen there was finally produced the present article. In the fall of 1896 the manufacture and advertising of the product was begun, and its growth has been one of the significant successes of the decade in cereal manufactures. The present plant was erecte 1 in 1897. and the present company was incorporated in August, 1901, with a capital stock of one hundred and ninety thousand dollars, un'er the
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